I’m a fairly secular Muslim: Ask me anything

[Byemelania]

I probably won’t know the answer but I’ll try

@The8thMonth

Why don't more liberal Muslims publicly denounce the extreme beliefs and terrorism actions done in the name of Islam?

Can you not see how massively racist this comment is? Throughout history, white people have done more damaged to others than any other race. Not once has anyone ordered all white people to apologise for slavery, for apartheid, for ethnic cleansing. Why the hell should normal, everyday, Muslims going about their business be forced to make statements about something that isn’t directly anything to do with them.

See, this is an example of white privileged right there. I can’t believe more people haven’t pulled you up on it but I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised.

@SiSeniora I was born into a Muslim family. That better hun?

@Escapeplanning it’s the racism you can’t see.

@Luaanna I agree with you but I also did an AMA, so anyone can ask anything. Your sentiment is right tho, it’s fucked up to be expected to condemn shit

Not once has anyone ordered all white people to apologise for slavery, for apartheid, for ethnic cleansing.

Eh? You can't be serious?

What is your favourite food and tradition from your/your family's culture?

I was raised Christian I’m not routinely asked to condemn sex abuse scandals, A priest going rogue, or intolerance towards gay people

My Muslim colleague is routinely asked to condemn acts of terror, explain tenets of their faith

@SonjaMorgan all the food! I think the food and the clothes.. and music. There’s also so comfort in a sense of solidarity, but I think that’s more about being a minority rather than a value of a certain culture.

So it sounds as though the challenges you face are more about race than religion.

My SIL is From the Far East, and Muslim, but never devote. She has recently converted to Christianity and been declared apostate by her family and cannot return to her country. I just cannot begin to understand that kind of coercive control. What's your take?

@SentientAndCognisant after an attack, one colleague walked up behind me as I was making tea and said “do you know any scary Muslims around here”. He was 60, I was 22 and very new in the job.

@Baaaahhhhh it’s an intersection of challenges - race, religion, gender.

I think she’s better off without such a family!

I was raised Christian I’m not routinely asked to condemn sex abuse scandals, A priest going rogue, or intolerance towards gay people.

Seriously? There's non stop condemnation of these things. We are all asked to condemn these things.

@Escapeplanning when has someone asked you specifically to condemn any one of those things, because you happen to be white?

Are all Christians white?

@Escapeplanning no but earlier it was said when are white people etc. So I just carried that on.
Have you been asked to condemn anything?

About a quarter of the global Christian population as of 2010 was in Europe (26%), a quarter in Latin America and the Caribbean (25%) and a quarter in sub-Saharan Africa (24%). Significant numbers of Christians also live in Asia and the Pacific (13%) and North America (12%). Less than 1% live in the Middle East-North Africa region, where Christianity began. The regional distribution of Christians is forecast to change considerably by 2050. Europe is no longer projected to have a plurality of the world’s Christians; in fact, only about 16% of the world’s Christians are expected to be living in Europe as of 2050.

No, I have never directly been asked after a religious news event or prominent story to explain,apologise or personally comment as if I am representive of a contorted opinion

I’ve observed Muslim colleagues being asked to explain,comment on events in a personal capacity

@Escapeplanning way to avoid the question!

Hey there human

Sweeping generalisations are not really in the spirit of this board.

I do not see wide spread condemnation of church scandals, wish I did
I see episodic outrage that often fades after the events aren’t contemporary news anymore
I’m Irish in heritage and the RC church has perpetrated some outrageous acts in Ireland & overseas

Maybe now. How many years was sexual abuse in the church covered up for?

Probably for as long as men have dominated religious organisations.

Globally.

Interesting thread.

OP your approach to your, what, cultural/ background/ born into religion is no different to those born into RC, Jewish families etc. Obviously because that's how it goes.

I'm RC by birth and some markers eg baptism and am an athiest. I was a bit surprised the other day when I realised that as far as RC is concerned I'm one of theirs!

So not sure what Si is on about.

My question is. Why did you decide to start this thread, what sort of questions were you expecting?

[quote Byemelania]@Escapeplanning way to avoid the question![/quote]
The "question" is actually several conflated statements about different subjects. As you pointed out.